16,000 evacuated as heavy rain hits C China

CHANGSHA - More than 16,000 people were evacuated as rainstorms lashed parts of central China's Hunan Province, local authorities said on Sunday.

Heavy rain began to hit northwestern Hunan on Saturday, affecting more than 120,000 people as of 3 p.m. Sunday, with roads destroyed and power supply cut in some areas, according to the provincial flood control and drought relief office.

A total of 16,450 people have been evacuated.

In the worst hit Huayuan county, rainfall reached 150.4 mm. The heavy rain is expected to last until Monday, according to local meteorological station.